When is the Best Time to Spread Grass Seed?

Time Frame

• Cool-season grasses grow in areas with four distinct seasons, usually northern states, according to American-Lawns. Warmer-season grasses grow in the south and west, where the weather is warm most of the time. According to All About Lawns, spread cool-season grass seed in the early spring (April) or early fall (August 15 to September 15). Warm-season seed can be sown in late spring or early summer.

Considerations

• Use the soil temperature as a guide on when to spread grass seed. Virginia Cooperative Extension says 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for warm-season grass seed. Cool-season grass can be planted in cooler soil with a temperature of about 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Potential

• It is possible to grow grass outside the recommended time frames, but attempting to do so too close to times of temperature extremes (cold and hot) may result in dead seed.